We're Making a Wildlife Pond

That looks fantastic @CraigET ! Is the pipe under the jetty to let water in or out? Wonderful that you've planted wildflowers in the grass. Probably they will take awhile to establish. I bet you can't wait for next summer.

 

It’s for overflow yes, I’m not too worried about the wildflower seed as next to the pond is a large wild flower meadow so will blend in soon enough. Unfortunately I don’t have any pics from this year though. I’ll pop some up when the bulbs come through and again In Summer

 

I have a dilemma. When we first made our wildlife pond I was very clear that it should be a wildlife pond with the primary aim of encouraging more birds. I’m a birder and I want to do more to help wildlife, especially birds, into my little patch. To this end I thought it would not be right to introduce fish. My thinking was that if fish were to arrive naturally, say fish eggs on birds feet that would be ok, provided they were native species.

I did not expect a Kingfisher to turn up a year after making the pond but that is what happened yesterday, to my great delight. Herein lies my dilemma. Of course I want her, and it was a female, to come back. I am now wondering about introducing some sticklebacks to our pond. What do you think, G C friends? Should I or shouldn’t I? Another small native piscatorial species perhaps?

 

Aren’t rudd and roach a bit too big for Kingfishers?

 

I have been giving this more thought over the past week. I was taken aback by the Kingfisher visit and want to encourage her to come back. When we first made the pond I followed the current prevailing advice of not introducing amphibian spawn. Apparently there is a serious amphibian disease now that is spread by moving spawn from pond to pond and it is best to allow them to arrive naturally. I’ve seen a few toads but no frogs or newts and no amphibians bred this year. I think the toads were eaten by a Grey Heron.

I’m now thinking that I’ll wait till spring and if no amphibians spawn I’ll get some sticklebacks or Rudd. Further comments appreciated.

 

That’s what I want! I’m concerned that Rudd, which I admit are pretty, will get too big for the Kingfisher. I’ve done some research and learned that 8cm is the biggest Kingfishers can manage. Also learned that they feed on larger aquatic invertebrates as well. She was back again today and finding something to eat. I’m sooo pleased. Thanks for your input and suggestions @ARMANDII .

 

I see this thread has been made into a sticky; that’s nice.

Some news today: frogspawn has appeared overnight. I’m very pleased. Readers will know we didn’t have any last spring, the ponds first spring. I’ll be keeping a close eye on it. The stickleback suggestion is now on hold and probably will not be happening.

 

Perhaps even more pleased perhaps if this happens …



I've been at my local reserve numerous times recently, but no sightings of Kingfishers, despite timing my visits to coincide with the times when the shoals of small Rudd are basking on the surface in front of the hide.

But they are what attract the Kingfishers, and what I'd suggest stocking your pond with.


P.S. I was at a pond on a local nature reserve on Tuesday, when somebody thought they'd seen a newt, but I thought it would require some rain (which has happened) before they (and other amphibians) arrived for spawning.

 

It’s all part of nature and having a balance. It’s fine by me if the Kingfishers take some tadpoles....or Rudd or whatever. Right now there isn’t yet a balance in our pond. Hopefully this next growing season will help remedy that. There is a stream about 200 m from our pond so there are definitely Kingfishers about and the occasional visit by one to the pond is a big bonus....but I m still pleased to have the amphibians.

A problem at the moment is the blanket weed that is taking a hold.

 

Update

After believing the frogspawn had been eaten by Mallards, I was surprised a few days ago to find the spent frogspawn washed up on the beach, a big clump of it, each egg with a hole in it made by the emerging tadpoles. Good news. Evidently the eggs had sunk out of sight. I’ve seen only one so far but there are many hiding places for tiny tadpoles.

Birds continue to drink from the edges of the pond. This is one of my biggest delights.

I’m going to order some more plants having realised I didn’t plant enough last year. Will stick to native species. Blanket weed is a problem and I net some out most days so it doesn’t become overwhelming.

I’ll post some pictures once plant growth becomes more apparent.